The following, however, is the other side of society indispensably resulted from the famine:
CRIMINALS.
| Comparative Time | No. of Robbers | No. of Thieves | No. of Swindlers | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept.-Nov., | 1905 | 5 | 833 | 99 | 937 |
| “ “ | 1904 | 5 | 123 | 36 | 163 |
| Dec. | 1905 | 1 | 363 | 70 | 434 |
| “ | 1904 | 1 | 69 | 36 | 106 |
| Jan. | 1906 | 1 | 266 | 27 | 294 |
| Jan. | 1905 | 0 | 80 | 0 | 80 |
| Feb. | 1906 | 1 | 211 | 51 | 263 |
| “ | 1905 | 1 | 46 | 22 | 69 |
In Sendai City, at the beginning of the famine, all rice dealers constituted a trust in order to enhance the market price of rice. Mayor Hayakawa determinedly imported rice from Tokyo at his own risk to the amount of about 102,600 bushels to check the trust, which was, in consequence, almost panic-stricken and had to bring down the price lower than before. Currency being scarce at the time in this district, he issued temporary notes to be used for paying wages only on public works. These notes could be exchanged for foods only, not for wine or liquor nor for tobacco, and are even to-day in circulation among wage-earning people there. I enclose herewith their samples.
Speaking generally, all sufferers have now been rescued from starvation throughout these three famine stricken districts. It is not any exaggeration to say that many lives have been saved through the generosity of American people, and that every peasant, rich and poor, or wise and ignorant, has more than highly appreciated the kindness and sympathy you have extended to him so practically.
In Sendai City, at my request, Hon. Kamei, President of Miyagi Red Cross Branch, introduced me to foreign missionaries living there, whose names, it gives me great pleasure to mention here, were:
Mr. W. E. Lampe, Mr. C. S. Davison, Mr. C. Jacquet, Dr. J. H. DeForest, Mr. M. B. Madden.
I dined with them and enjoyed the party to a full extent. Scarcely need be said that these missionaries have played a great part especially by this critical time in helping the sufferers. I have no doubt that the former’s effort in enlightening, in addition, the latter in every respect together with all classes of people must have been and will be more than the whole Japan can repay.
At the close of this statement, I take great pleasure in adding that all foodstuffs purchased with your contributions have been distributed among the sufferers separately from others stating at each time to the effect that those articles were the gifts of American people, to whom the President Roosevelt and Christian Herald appealed for the alleviation in behalf of the famine stricken districts. All the head men of counties, towns and villages whom I met while on my trip requested me to convey to you their heartfelt gratitude for all the kindness you have tendered them. Enclosed is one of the letters of thanks, which has been addressed and forwarded to our Count Matsukata from the representatives of the sufferers, asking him to convey to you their highest appreciation.
Thanking you in anticipation for your kindness in reading this report, which I now have the honor to submit to you.